Derivatives of 3 - (3&#39; beta-tridigitoxosyl-14&#39; beta-hydroxy-5&#39; beta-androstan - 17&#39; beta-yl)-acrylic acid

ABSTRACT

COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA   3-((4,5-DI(HO-),6-CH3-TETRAHYDROPYRAN-2-YL)-(O-(4-HO,6-   CH3-TETRAHYDROPYRAN-2-YL))2-O-),14-HO,17-(R3-C(-R2)=CH-),   12-R1-ANDROSTANE   WHEREIN R1 IS HYDROGEN OR HYDROXYL, R2 IS HYDROGEN, CHLORINE, FLUORINE, ALKYL OF 1 TO 4 CARBON ATOMS, ALKOXY OF 1 TO 4 CARBON ATOMS OR CYANO, AND R3 IS CYANO, CARBOXYL, CARBALKOXY, CARBARYLOXY OR CARBARALKOXY. THE COMPOUNDS ARE USEFUL AS CARDIOTONIC WITH POSITIVE INOTROPIC ACTION.

DERIVATIVES OF 3-(3fi-TRIDIGITOXOSYL-l4 HYDROXY-S -ANDROSTAN 17fl-YL)-ACRYLIC ACID Wolfgang Eberlein, Biberach, Riss, and Joachim Heider, Warthausen-Oberhofen, Germany, Walter Kobinger, Vienna, Austria, and Willi Diederen, Biberach, Riss, Germany, assignors to Boehringer Ingelheim G.m.b.H.,

Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany No Drawing. Filed Oct. 18, 1971, Ser. No. 190,279

I Patented Aug. 14, 1973 wherein 5 R is hydrogen or hydroxyl,

R is hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or cyano, and R is cyano, carboxyl, carbalkoxy, carbaryloxy or carbf *"%"22- 10 may. Us. (:1- 260 2101? Cl. C07c 17 I 6 Claims The compounds embraced by Formula I above may i be P p d by PO-activated olefination of the l7fl-formyl ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE l5 p unds of the formula .H k R 0 3,

wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl,

R is hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon d5 wherein R, is hydrogen or hydroxyl protected by atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or cyano, and R is cyano, carboxyl, carbalkoxy, carbaryloxy or carbaralkoxy.

the compounds are useful as cardiotonics with positive inotropic action.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel class of tridigitoxosyl-androstane derivatives repre- 4 sented by the formula CHI group of a 3p-tridigitoxosyl-l7p-formyl-androstane of the formula CH CH 0 B5 (II) acyl or by another easily removable protective group, and R5 is acyl or another easily removable protective group, with a phosphonoester of the formula B40 0 T P-CH-Rz' 40 1 (III) pysxrsaeoa;

e reaction between the v 3B-tridigit'oxosyl-17fl formyb andros'tane "(II)" and the"pb osphono'ester (III) is 'perfonmediint-the presence :of a base, such as an alkali metal alcoholate, alkali metal hydride, alkali metal amide, alkali metal hydroxide or alkali metal carbonate, at a temperature between +40'and +50 0., preferably O to 20 C., and- 'adyantageously in aninert organic solvent medium, preferably an aprotic solvent, such as dimethyl glycol ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide or the like.

The subsequent removal of the protective groups may be effected by hydrolysis or hydrogenation. Thus, alkanoyl.

or phosphonoacyl radicals are removed by means of mild alkaline or acid hydrolysis; benzyl or carbobenzoxy 'radicats are split off by means of catalytic hydrogenation; and trimethsilyl or tetrahydropyranyl radicals are split 01f by treatment with dilute acids.

If it is desired to prepare a compound of the Formula I wherein R is free carboxyl (-COOH), the initially obtained analogous carbalkoxy, carbaryloxy or carbaralkoxy compound must be hydrolized under conditions which are more severe than those required for the removal of the acyl protective groups, namely with aqueous sodium hydroxide at room temperature, or with potassium carbonatein aqueous methanol at the boiling point of the latter. Of course, if the protective substituents R5 in Formula II are acyl or phosphonoacyl, their removal may be effected simultaneously with the hydrolysis of the esterified carboxyl group if the abovementioned severe hydrolysis conditions, that is, with aqueous sodium hydroxide at room temperature or with aqueous-methanolic potassium carbonate at reflux temperature, are applied.

Those compounds of the Formula I wherein R is free carboxyl obtained in this manner may, if desired, be converted into any desired acrylic acid ester by reaction with the corresponding alcohol in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. 7

, The starting compounds of the Formula III are, to a major extent, described in the literature or may be prepared by various methods described in the literature.

The steroid starting compounds of the Formula II may t rs '4 The following examples further illustrate the present invention and will enable others skilled in the art to understand it more completely. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited solely to the particular examples given below; U

L840 mgm, (7-.5 .r'nillimols') of potassium tertbutylate were added in small portions to a solution of i258 gm. (7.5 rn illi'mols) of methyl diethylphosphono-acetate in 30 ml. of absolute dim'ethyl'glycolat' 0? C. The 'resultin'gsus pension was stirred for about l5'rninutes, and then a solution of 3 gm. (3.42 millirnols) ofBfi-tridigitoxosoyltetr'aacetatel4fi-hydroxy 17B formyl- 5B andr'ostane (solid, foamy substance, Rfvalue: 0.48; flow agent: Ethyl acetate/benzene (2:1), silicagel -platesyin ml. of dimethylglycol was added dropwise thereto, and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for five hours more. Thereafter, the reaction solution was diluted with a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and thenextracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with water, dried .over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo, leaving 2.5 gm. of the raw reaction product. 300 mgm. of the f raw product were purified by chromatography on silicagel (ethylacetate/benzene=4:l), yielding 200 mgm. of

R -valuez 0.55 (flow sili'cagel plates), melting range 180- potassium carbonate dihydrate in 8 ml. of water, and.

the mixed solution was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature. Thereafter, the reaction solution was diluted with two liters of a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organicextract solution was washed with water, dried over sodium-sulfate, evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was purified by chromatography on silicagel (benzene/ethyl acetate=1zl to 1:3), yielding 900 mgm. (%of theory) of a white substance which was identified to be the compound of the formula CHI CH8 OH be prepared by first protecting the free hydroxyl groups having a melting point of 242-4245 C. and an R -value of digoxin or digitoxin with one of the protective groups above referred to, subsequently ozonolytically degrading of 0.37 (silicagel piate; flow agent: Ethyl acetate/ethanol= :5).

' EXAMPLE 2 (a) 3-(3'fi-tridigitoxosyl-tetraacetate-IZ'B-acetoxy- 1413-hydroxy-5'B-androstanl 7'B-yl)-acrylonitrile 0.72 gm. (6.4 millimols) of potassium tert.butylate was added in small portions to a solution of l.l4 gm. (6.4 millimols) of diethylphosphono-acetonitrile in 10 ml. of dimcthylglycol on an ice bath, the resulting mixture was stirred for about 15 minutes and then a solution of 3 gm- (3.2 millimols) of 3li tridi'gitoxosyl-tetraacetateifzggaeemxy 145 hydroxy-17,8-frmyl-5B-androstane in: 50. ml. of dimethylglycol was added dropwise thereto. Ihe-reactionmixture-wasnow allowed to stand at room temperature for a few hours, and during that time the progress of the reaction, was periodically checked by thin-layer chromatography. After the reaction had gone to completion, the reaction mixture was diluted with water and then extracted several times with ether. The combined ethereal extracts were Washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in a rotary evaporator. 400 mgm. of the raw reaction product thus obtained were purified by chromatography on silicagel (15% deactivated) with ethyl acetate/ benzene (4:1), yielding 200 mgm. of 3-(3'fi-tridigitoxosyl-tetraacetate- 12'5 acetoxy 1413 hydroxy-S'fl-androstan-17'fl-yl)- acrylonitrile, which sintered beginning at 85 C. and had (b) 3-(3f3-tridigitoxosyl-12'p,14'fl-dihydroxy-5 '5- androstan-17p-yl)-acry1onitrile A solution of 2.8 gm. (2.92 millimols) of 3-(35-trigitoxosyl tetraacetate 12'5 acetoxy-14'fi-hydroxy- 8-androstan-l7 3-yl)-acrylonitrile in 250 m1. of metha- 1101 was admixed with a solution of 2.55 gm. (14.6 millimols) of potassium carbonate dihydrate in ml. of water, and the mixture was allowed to standovernight at room temperature. Thereafter, the major amount ofmethanol was evaporated in vacuo, and the remainder was diluted with water and then extracted four to six times with chloroform. The combined organic extracts were dried oversodium sulfate and then evaporated to dryness in.vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silicagel (15% deactivated) with benzene/ethyl acetate 1:3, yielding 730 Ingm. (33% of theory) of the compound of the formula CH; CH: CH;

which sintered beginning at 130 C. and had an R -value of 0.5 (silicagel plates; flow agent: ethyl acetate/ethanol=9:1).

EXAMPLE 3 (a) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(a), isopropyl 3-(36 tridigitoxosyl tetraacetate-l4'fl hydroxy 5'5 androstan-lTB-yl)-acrylate, melting point range 115-130" C., R -value=0.55 (silicagel plates; flow agent: ethyl acetate/benzene=2:1), was prepared from 3 gm. (3.42 millimols) of 3,6-tridigitoxosyltetraacetate 14,3-hydroxy-17fl-formyl-5B-androstane by olefination with 1.79 gm. (7.5 millimols) of diethylphosphono-acetic acetic acid isopropyl ester in the present of 840 mgm. (7.5 millimols) of potassium tert.butylate, followed by chromatographic purification on silicagel (benzene/ethyl acetate=3:1).

(b) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(b), 730 mgm. (27.6% of theory) of the compound of the formula M.P. 225-228 C., R -value=0.4 (silicagel plates; fiow agent: Ethyl acetate/ethanol= :5 were obtained by hydrolysis of 3.2 gm. (3.33 millimols) of isopropyl 3- (3B-tridigitoxosyl tetraacetate 145 hydroxy-S'B- androstan-17'fl-yl)-acrylate with 2.32 gm. (13.32 millimols) of potassium carbonate dihydrate in 250 ml. of aqueous methanol, and purification by chromatography on silicagel (chloroform/acetone=4:l to 2: 1).

EXAMPLE 4 tert. butylate; followed by chromatographic purification on silicagel (benzene/ethyl acetate=3z1 to 1:1). (b) Using a procedure analogous to that described in 7 Example 1(b), 780 mgm. (29.6% of theory) of the compound of the formula M.P. 235237 C., R;-va1ue=0.4 (silicagel plates; flow I agent: Ethyl acetate/ethanol=95:5), were obtained by hydrolysis of 3.2 gm. (3.37 millimols) of methyl 3-(3'6- tridigitoxosyl-tetraacetate-14'18 '--hydroxy '5 --androstan-17'fl-yl)-2-methyl-acrylate with 2.35 gm. (13.48 millimols) of potassium carbonate in 250 ml. of aqueous methanol, and purification by chromatography on silicagel -(chloroform/acetone= 4:1 to 2:1).

EXAMPLE 5 (a) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(a), 1.2 gm. (45.3% of theory) of mehtyl 3 (3'5 tridigitoxosyl tetraacetate-l4fi-hydroxy-5B androstan-17'B-yl)-2-fiuoro-acrylate, melting point range 100-110" C., R value=0.6 (silicagel plates; flow agent: Ethyl acetatelbenzene 2zl), were obtained from 3 gm. (3.42 millimols) of 3fi-tridigitoxosyl-tetraacetate-I4l3-hydroxy-l7p-formyl-5fi-androsane by olefination upon sevta e t? eral days standing with 1.72 gm. (7.5 millimos) of diethylphosphono-Z-fluoro-acetic acid methyl ester in the presence of 840 mgm. (7.5 millimols) of potassium tert. butylate, followed by chromatographic purification on silicagel (benzene/ethyl aeetate=4:1 to 3:1).

(b) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(b), 430 mgm. (43% of theory) of the com- I pound of the formula 8 M.P. 183-186" C., R va1ue=0.6 (silicagel paltes; fiow agent: Ethyl acetate/ethanol=95.:5), were obtained by hydrolysis of 1.0 gm. (1.29 millimols) of methyl 3-(35- tridigitoxosyltetraacetate 1439 hydroxy 5'3 androstan 17')? yl)-2-fluoroacrylate with 0.9 gm. (5.16 millimols) of potassium carbonate dihydrate in a mixture of 125 ml. of methanol and 10 ml. of water.

EXAMPLE 6 OH; H

M.P. 2152l7 C., R -value=0.42 (silicagel, plates; flow agent: Ethyl acetate/ethanol=:5), wereobtaned by hydrolysis of 3.1 gm. (3.44 millimols) of 3-(3'1S-tridigitoxosyltetraacetate 1473 hydroxy Sp androstan-U'B- yl)-acrylonitrile with 2.39 gm. (13.76 millimols) of potassium carbonate dihydrate in a mixture of 250 ml. of methanol and 10 ml. of water.

OOOCH:

9 EXAMPLE (5.12 millimols) of diethylpho'sphono-2-fluoro-acetic acid methyl ester in'the' presence of 575 mgm. (5.12 millirnole) of potassium tert.butylate, followed by chromatographic purification on silicagel (benzene/ethyl acetate=3:1) j 3; V1. J

- (b) Using a procedure analogous .to that described in Example 1(b), 250 mgm. (42% of theory) of the amorphous compound of the'formula Ethyl acetate/benzene=2: 1), was obtained from 3.3 7.gm. (3.6 millimols) of 3B-tridigitox'osyl-tetraacetate-iZfl-acetoxy-14/3-hydroxy-17fl-formyl-5B-androstane by olefination with 1.75 gm. (7.23 millimols) of diethyl-phospho n'o Z fluoro-acetic acid ethyl ester in the presence of 0.81 gm. (7.23 millimols) of potassium tert.butylate, followed by chromatographic purification on silicagel (benzene/ethyl 'acetate=3:1).

(b) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(b), 350 mgm. (49% of theory) of the amorphous compound of the formula R,-value=0.30 (silicagel plates; flow agent: Ethyl acetate/ ethanol=9:l, were obtained by hydrolysis of 900 gm. (0.87 millimols) of ethyl 3 (3B-tridigitoxosyl-tetraacetate-12'fi acetoxy 1473 hydroxy 5'fl-androstan-17'flyl)-2-fluoro-acrylate with 765 mgm. (4.4 millimols) of potassium carbonate dihydrate in a mixture of 75 ml. of

ethanol and 5 ml. of water, and purification by chroma tography on silicagel (chloroform/acetone=3:l).

000cm H & HO 0/ \F on, on, on... H

l i i R I H H H R,valu'e=0.3 (silica'gel plates; fiowagent; Ethyl acetate/ EXAM L 9 ethanol=9z1), were obtained by hydrolysis of 750 gm. 0.74 millimols) of methyl 3-(3'B-tridigitoxosyl-tetraace- (a) Usmg Procedure analogous to that described 1 tate 12'B,14'}8 dihydroxy Sp-androstan-17 ',8-yl)-2- 1(a)- o eo y) of methyl 'fifiuoro-acrylate with 645 mgm. (3.70 millimols) of potastrfdlgltoxosyl'tetr'aacetam12 B'acetoxy 'I Y Y- sium carbonate dihydrate in a mixture of 65 ml. of metha- 5 fl'andmstann 2 methOXy -acrylate1 all amornol and 1.6 ml. of water, and purification by chromatogv Phous substance (sllipcagel f i flow raphy on silicagel (chloroform/acetone=2.7:1. agent: f Wem Obtained from LE 8 3 gm. (3.2 mlllimols) of 3B-tndig1toxosyl-tetraacetate-12&- EXAMP acetoxy-Mfi-hydroxy 17B formyl-Sp-andmstane by ole- (a) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(a), 1.0 gm. (27% of theory) of ethyl 3-(3'5- tridigitoxosyl tetraacctate 12fl acetoxy-14'fi-hydroxy- 5'5-androstan-17p3-yl) 2 fiuoro-acrylate, an amorphous substance, R,-value=0.50 (silicagel plates; flow agent: zene/ethyl acetate=2.2:1).

fination with 1.54 gm. (6.4 millimols) of diethylphosphone-Z-methoxy-acetic acid methylestcr in the presence of 0.72 gm. (6.4 millimols) of potassium tert. butylate, followed by chromatographic purification on silica-gel (benlb) UsihgIa p1 o lure analogous to that described in Example 11b) 550tmgm'. (59% of theory) of the amor P .of'the' formula tassium carbonate dihydrate in a mixture of 100 ml. of 1 methanol and 2.5 ml. of water, and purification by chromatography on silicagel (chloroform/acetone: 1.8: 1).

EXAMPLE acetate), were obtained from 1 gm. (1.07 millimols) of 3,8-tridigitoxosyl-tetraacetate 12B acetoxy-MB-hydroxy =17B-formy1-5fi-androstane by olefination withO.23 mgm,

(1.1 2 millimols) of diethylphdsphonoacetic acid methyl ester in the presence'of 0.12 mgm.'(1.12 millimols) of potassium tertbutylate, followed by chromatographic purification on silicagel (benzene/ethyl acetate=4z 1).

HO O

(b) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(b), 210 mgm. (30% of theory) of the amorphous compound of the formula.

. 12 R -value OAtl (silicagel plates; Holy agent: Benzene/ethyl acctafe- -'-1 :3),'= Were" obtained by hydrolysis of 900 mgm. 0.9 '1" r1'iIlirnol s i of methyl '3 (3 fmridigitoxosyl-tetraace tate-IZfl-acetoxy 14'5 hydroxy-S'fi-androstan-l7fi-yl)- acrylate with 750 mgm. (4.5 millimols) of potassium carbonate dihydrate in a mixture of m1. of methanol and 2.5; ml. of water, and purification by chromatography on silieagel benzene/ethyl acetate: 1 :3

EXAMPLE 11 (a) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(a), 1.85 gm. (55% of theory)jof n-butyl 3- (B'B-tridigitoxosyl tetraacetate 14'5 hydroxy-S'fi-audrostan-17'5-y1)-acrylate, Ml. l73175 C., R va1ue= 0.56 (silicagel plates; flow agent: Benzene/ethyl acetate: 1:2),werelobtained.iromgigm. (3, 42millimols) of 3B- tridigitoxosyletetraacetatew 1416 kldroXY-lzlB-fdrmyl-Sgandrostane by olefin'atiomwith 1 :89gm, (7.-5 mlllimols) of diethylphosphonoeaceticacid n-but-yl est r iu he pr nce of 0.84 gm. (7.5 milh'mols) of potassium tert.butyla te, 01;- lowed .by chromatographic purification onvsilicagel" (benzerte/ethyl' acetateqStlL-i Z1 i i 6'' 11-:

(b) Using a procedure-analogous to that ;de scr ibed in Example 10)), 0.5 gm. (23% of theory) of the compound of the formula 7 CHI melting range 190-203 C., R,-value=0.45 (silicagel lates; flow agent: Ethyl acetate/ethauol= :5 were obtained byvhydrolysis of L6, (2,6 6-rnillimols)-of n.-

COOCH;

13 butyl 3-(3'B-tridigitoxosyl tetraacetate-14'B-hydroxy-5 '5- androstan-17B-yl)-acrylate with 1.85 gm. (10.64 millimols) of potassium carbonate dihydrate in a mixture of 250 ml. of methanol and ml. of water, and purification by chromatography on silicagel (chloroform/acetone: 3.5:1 to 2:1).

EXAMPLE 12 (a) Using a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1(a), 1.0 gm. (27% of theory) of ethyl 3-(35- R,-value =0.30 (silicagel plates; flow agent: Ethyl acetate/ ethanol=9:1), were obtained by hydrolysis of 900 mgm. 4

(0.86 millimols) of ethyl 3(3'B-tridigitoxosyl-tetraacetate-1Z'B-acetoxy-14'1S-hydroxy-5'B-androstan 176 yl)- 2-chloro-acrylate with 0.72 gm. (4.32 millimols) of potassium carbonate dihydrate in a mixture of m1. of ethanol and 5 ml. of water, and purification by chromatography on silicagel (chloroform/acetone=3:1).

The compounds according to the present invention, that is, those embraced by Formula I above, have useful pharmacodynamic properties. More particularly, the compounds of the instant invention exhibit efiective cardiotonic activities, as manifested by a positive inotropic action upon the isolated auricle of the guinea pig heart.

Especially efiective cardiotonics are the following compounds:

For pharmaceutical purposes the compounds according to the present invention are administered to warm blooded animals perorally or parenterally as active ingredients in customary dosage unit compositions, that is, compositions in dosage unit form consisting essentially of an inert pharmaceutical carrier and one effective dosage unit of the active ingredient, such as tablets, coated pills, capsules, wafers, powders, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, syrups, suppositories and the like. One effective dosage unit of thecompounds according to thepresent invention is from 0.002 to 0.034 mgm./kg. bodyweight.

The following examples illustrate a few pharmaceutical dosage unit compositions comprising a compound of the present invention as an active ingredient and represent the best modes contemplated of putting the invention into practical use. The parts are parts by weight unless otherwise specified.

COOC H EXAMPLE 13 Tablets The tablet composition is compounded from the following ingredients:

Preparation-The acrylonitrile compound is intimately admixed with 2.5 parts of lactose the mixture is admixed with the remainder of the lactose and the potato starch, the resulting mixture is moistened with an aqueous 10% solution of the gelatin, the moist mass is forced through a 1.5 mm.-mesh screen, the resulting granulate is dried at 40 C. and again passed through a 1 mm.-mesh screen, the dry granulate is admixed with the magnesium stearate, and the composition is compressed into mgm.-tablets in a conventional tablet making machine. Each tablet contains 0.25 mgm. of the acrylonitrile compound and is an oral dosage unit composition with etfective positive inotropic cardiotonic action. r

EXAMPLE 14 Coated pills The pill core composition is compounded from the following ingredients:

Preparation.- I 'he acrylate is intimately admixed with 2.5-"p'a'mof laetose, the mixture is admixed with the remainderor the lactose and the corn starch, the resulting mixture is moistened with an aqueous 15% solution of the polyvinylpyrrolidone, the moist mass is forced through a 1 mm.-mesh screen, the resulting granulate is dried at 40 C. and again passed through the screen, the dry 'granulate is admixed with the magnesium stearate, and the composition is compressed into 50 mgm.pill cores which are subsequently coated with a thin shell consisting essentially of a mixture of sugar and talcum and polished with beeswax. Each coated pill contains 0.25 mgm. of the acrylate and is an oral dosage unit composition with effective positive inotropic cardiotonic action.

EXAMPLE 15 Drop solution The solution is compounded from the following ingredients:

' Parts Methyl 3-(3'fl-tridigitoxosyl 14'13 hydroxy-SB- androstan-17'B+yl )-2-methyl-acrylate 0.0 125 Saccharin sodium 0.3

Sorbic acid 0.1

Ethanol 30.0 Flavoring 1.0 Distilled water, q.s. ad 100.0

Preparation.The acrylate and the flavoring are dissolved in the ethanol, the resulting solution is admixed with a solution of the sorbic acid and the saccharin sodium in the distilled water, and the mixed solution is filtered until free from suspended matter. 1 ml. (about 20 drops) of the filtrate contains 0.125 mgm. of the acrylate and is an oral dosage unit composition with effective positive inotropic cardiotonic action.

EXAMPLE 16 Hypodermic solution The solution is compounded from the following ingredients:

Preparation.--The tartaric acid, the polyethyleneglycol and the acrylonitrile compound are successively dissolved in a sufficient amount of distilled water, and the resulting solution is diluted to the indicated volume with distilled water and then filtered until free from suspended water. The filtrate is filled into 3 n1l.-ampules in an atmosphere of nitrogen, and the filled ampules are sterilized for 20 minutes at 120 C. and then sealedQEach ampule contains 0.25 'mgm. of the acrylonitrile compound, and the contents thereof are an injectable dosage unit composition with effective positive inotropic cardiotonic action.

EXAMPLE l7 Suppositories The suppository composition is compounded from the folowing ingredients:

5'6 androstan 17fi-yl)2-fiuoro-acrylate 0.25 Lactose 4.75 Suppository base (e.g. cocoa butter) 1695.00

Total 1700.00

Preparation.The acrylate and the lactose are admixed with each other, the mixture is milled and then blended with the aid of an immersion homogenizer in the suppository base which had previously been melted and cooled to 40 C., and 1700 mgm.-portions of the resulting composition are poured at 37 C. into cooled suppository molds and allowed to hardenrEach suppository contains 0.25 rngm. of the acrylate and is a rectal dosage unit composition with effective positive inotropic cardiotonic action.

. Analogous results are obtained when any one of the other compounds embraced by Formula I is substituted for the particular acrylic acid compound in Examples 13 through 17. Likewise, the amount of active ingredient in these illustrative examples may be varied to achieve the dosage unit range set forth above, and the amounts and nature of the inert pharmaceutical carrier ingredients may be varied to meet particular requirements.

While the present invention has been illustrated with the aid of certain specific embodiments thereof, it will be readily apparent to others skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

7 We claim:

1. A compound of the formula n. o n,

I 1 C on; CH: 1

wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl,

R is hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or cyano, and

R is cyano, carboxyl or lower carbalkoxy.

2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl,

R is hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, methylor methoxy,

and

R is cyano, carboxyl'or (alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms)- carbonyl. 3. A compound according to claim 2, which is 3437:-

17 tridigitoxosyl 12 ,14'3 dihydroxy-S'fl-androstan-17' yl)-acrylonitrile.

4. A compound according to claim 2, which is methyl 3-(3'13 tn'digitoxosyl 1273,1433 dihydroxy-Sfl-androstan-17'fi-yl)-2-fluoro-acrylate.

5. A compound according to claim 2, which is methyl 3-(3fl tridigitoxosyl 14'fi hydroxy 5'13 androstan- 17'fi-yl)-2-fluoro-acrylate.

6. A compound according to claim 2, which is methyl 3-(35 tridigitoxosyl 1416 hydroxy 5'5 androstan- 10 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,538,078 11/1970 Kaiser et a1. 260210.5 3,579,499 5/1971 Clarkson 260-211.5

LEWIS GO'ITS, Primary Examiner J. R. BROWN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 424-182 @333 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIQN' htencNo. 3,75 3 Dated 973 inventor) WOLFGANG-EBERLEIN, JOACHIM HEI'DER, WALTER KOBINGER WEI-yum]. DlEDI-SHEN It is certified that error appears in thevabove-i dentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 3," line 71"-- qorrect ,"20 2 -di'ol to rea d -20,2l-di'ol--.

I Col. line 16- correct "tri digitoxosol" :to read- A. J --tridi gitox osyl- Col 7, l i n e 3. corre c f, the spelling of "methyl";

38 correct ar 1 dr o s ane" to read '--andr ostane--. l -.1 dine. 6 1 fi'l lse'r't 1L3 before. "g mfl'; I d

72 correct. "phon e'F to r ad Sigried and sealed this 1M5 day of my 19m.

(SEAL) .Atte-st g 1 I l EDWARD PLF-LETGHERJR. c, MARSHALL DANN Att'esting Officer 1 Commissioner of Patents 

